For many Countryside families, the morning carpool is a daily ritual, a familiar rhythm of sleepy smiles, hurried goodbyes, friendly waves, and the ever-present reminder to pull all the way up. It’s a small slice of the day, but one that carries a surprising amount of meaning, connection, and, if you look closely, history.

Some of you (or your parents) may remember the classic carpool scene from Mr. Mom, written by John Hughes, where Michael Keaton’s character learns (the hard way) that there is a correct way to navigate a school drop-off line. That moment has become part of film lore, and Northbrook legend has it that the inspiration for such disciplined carpool choreography traces back to our very own founder, Annette Kulle!

And if we’re talking about carpool lanes and local lore, we can’t resist another little Hollywood connection. Our neighborhood grocer, Sunset Foods, had its own moment on the big screen in She’s Having a Baby, directed by Northbrook native John Hughes. In a blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it cameo, longtime Sunset Foods owner Ron Bernardi appears as a stock boy—right there in the aisles of the Northbrook store many of us still shop in today. It’s one more reminder of how closely our everyday spaces are woven into the stories that shaped a generation.

John Hughes, who attended Glenbrook North High School, drew deeply from the texture of suburban Chicago life, its schools, families, and rhythms, to create films that continue to resonate. Whether it’s The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, those stories feel familiar because they are familiar, rooted in places like ours.

That shared history is exactly what we’re celebrating with our upcoming Spirit Day, themed around Chicago + John Hughes movies. It’s a joyful nod to our roots, our community, and a little ’80s flair—Countryside style.

And since we’re talking about carpool, I want to share something close to my heart. When I stepped into the role of Head of School, I made a very intentional decision to be out at carpool each morning. Continuing to see the children, to know them as they grow, and to connect with families day by day matters deeply to me. I was a teacher first, and that daily touchpoint, those brief hellos and goodbyes, remains critical to how I lead and stay connected to our community.

So the next time you’re waiting in line, coffee in hand, listening for that familiar cue to move forward, I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the layers around you. You’re part of a tradition that’s about far more than drop-off—it’s about relationships, shared history, and a little bit of movie magic tucked into the everyday moments that make Countryside home.